Florence and Tuscany

---

---

Fast train from Naples (the first place so far we were glad to be out of) to Florence or Firenze.

There we set ourselves a hectic schedule as we only had 2 full days, barely able to dent the surface of all Florence has to offer.

Largely as a result of the Medici family (both loved and hated here, could be referred to as Italy’s first Mafia family) many great talents like Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Galileo and Donatello were supported. The Medicis were great collectors of the arts and ensured that the many treasures would never leave Florence.

We started with a guided walking tour to get our bearings then launched into our list of “must see” sights, culminating in Michelangelo’s David.

Then on to our lovely Tuscany villa in the hills just north of Pistoia for 10 slower paced days and a rental car to get around in.

Last stop Rome, then back in Canada for Easter.

---

Photos

The Italian Rocket
I can’t understand why North America has ignored high speed trains. Our experiences here and in Spain have been first rate and relatively inexpensive.

Basilica de Santa Croce
Where many famous men are entombed; Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Marconi, Rossini....all with connections to Florence. In most cases the marble monuments were created by masters.

Galileo's tomb
Designed and created by Michelangelo.

The Duomo
Magnificent on the outside, ordinary on the inside. Work started in 1296 and wound up 150 years later. The dome alone is a feat of master engineering as it was built without scaffolding.

Ponte Vecchio
Now housing top jewelry and watch shops it was originally where the city’s butchers and fishermen sold their wares; but a Medici didn’t like the smell so booted them out.

Socrates
Found in the wonderful Uffizi Museum which holds many of the works collected by the Medicis.

In the Uffizi
The building itself is worth a visit; it’s contents can be overwhelming.

Former armory room
One of the many beautifully frescoed rooms in the Uffizi.

Michelangelo’s Domi Madonna
It is believed that he also created the unusual frame.

outdoor museum
Florence has a history of displaying sculptures outside for all to see. Even David, for many years, until it was realized that acid rain and polluted air were causing permanent damage. Some of these works date from the early Greeks.

David
Carved from a piece of marble that other master sculptors dismissed as unworkable, Michelangelo completed this masterpiece before the age of 30.
It's difficult to describe the emotional impact of seeing this magnificent sculpture after reading so much about it and the genius who created it...in his words he simply released David from the marble where he had been encased.
A confession here, I did not realize this is The David about to load the sling (in his left hand) with the stone in his right, to slay Goliath.
See, you’re never too old to learn!

"Uliveto"
Our lovely little villa in northern Tuscany for 10 days.
As we are out in the countryside we hired a car and plan to visit Pisa, Lucca and possibly Sienna from here. Our AirBNB host, Giorgio, has been quite amazing; he drove us from the train station to the car rental and has been giving us daily samples of typical Tuscan food.

From the terrace
Looking down towards the olive grove (we have been supplied with a jug of the very extra virgin nectar!) Down there is the Medieval town of Pistoia. We really did not expect much of it, but it is a GEM!

Water tap
But not just a water tap....this property goes back many generations in the family.

Under Pistoia
We did an interesting tour beneath the ‘old’ hospital, 1257! I would say old! The river was partially diverted to run beneath the hospital to dispose of rubbish, wash in, provide drinking water and power wheels like this one. No wonder the plague wiped out half of the population in some cities.

Guess what this is.
A vice, used to hold a severed head for student “doctors” to examine the contents...C16 or so, in the School for Surgeons of the Old Pistoia Hospital.
The facade at the beginning of this posting is also of the hospital illustrating the various services provided. We also learned that hospitals were originally places of ‘hospitality’ for pilgrims.

local church
Just down the hill from us is this church which dates from the 900s, already used as a watchtower for 300 years.

Challenging walks
Lots of steep slopes and narrow roads around us here at Uliveto (olive grove.)

Pisa
Surely one of the most photographed sights in Italy. I had always wondered what purpose it served...now I know, the bell tower for the adjoining Duomo (cathedral)

Duomo ceiling
Wood, with gold leaf adornment, paid for with money from that same Medici Family.

Lucca city wall.
Apparently the only fully intact still surviving medieval city wall in existence. Maybe Trumpy should look here for wall builders...they have had lots of practice.

Lucca Duomo facade
We were interested in the variety in the columns. Also agree that we are now ‘cathedralled out!”
Time for some countryside, seaside, wineries....

Comments

[Lorraine Runstedler]

Our Last Viewing
Good Morning - No more Tracking the ''imras' - Oh No! - love your comment of Trumpy and the Wall - WELCOME back to Canada - Have a Happy Easter - no snow on the ground here - still a little nippy though - Where are we headed next year - Is there any where you have not been(LOL)) - safe trip home - lr

[Marg and Ted]

Thanks
..for the trip down memory lane for me!And you are so right about the emotional impact of seeing Michelangelo,s work...what about The Pieta??And the scenes from Tuscany may be "the carrot"for Ted ...so enjoy your blogs!!Have fun!Enjoy all of the moments ...grazie Mille!!